Indian Representation and Cultural Analysis of the Films:

Similar presentations

Presentation on theme: "Indian Representation and Cultural Analysis of the Films:"— Presentation transcript:

1 Indian Representation and Cultural Analysis of the Films:Dances With Wolves and Frozen RiverBy Mikhail Sorsher

2 Dances with Wolves: Plot overview and historyFilm released: 1990Budget: ~$18MillionGross: $424.2MillionTime Period setting: American Civil WarJohn Dunbar (Kevin Costner) a civil war lieutenant, becomes becomes a war hero and is given his choice of posting. He chooses an abandoned post in the western frontier. He feels that the frontier will soon be gone and would like to see it before this happens.Over time he encounters the Sioux Indians and befriends them as well as falling in love with a woman from their tribe. He is given the name “Dances With Wolves” and after time he feels more connected to the Indian tribe than American culture. Eventually, American reinforcements arrive to the post he was stationed at and Dunbar abandons the military and attempts to help the Sioux evade the American forces.Fun fact:Won 7 Oscars with 12 nominations

3 Dances with Wolves: you cant escape the “Noble Savage”Indianan's expressed stereotypically. Shown to be,overall, inherently good willed and primitive.You are bombarded with the concept of the Noble Savage and reminded of it frequently throughout the film.Clip from directors cut of “Dances with Wolves” showing Indian community and explicit statement of noble savages at running time: 1:33:15 to 1:35:50Also shown traditional trading customs: From Clip from directors cut of “Dances with Wolves” at running time 2:07:22-2:09:07The film adheres to the stereotypes of the noble savage, and man joining indigenous society where he finds love, the film becomes a story redone and retold in variety of future films and books.Ex:

4 Frozen River: Plot overview and historyFilm released: 20082 Academy award nomination (2008)Gross Revenue: $5.1Million WorldwideSetting: St. Regis Mohawk Reservation located on both Upstate New York and the Canadian borderPlotline: Ray Eddie is a store clerk with barley enough income to feed her children and her husband has disappeared in fit of apparent gambling addiction.While searching for her husband she discovers, an Indian woman, Lila Littlewolf driving her husbands car, which Lila claims she found abandoned. Both of the women are in desperate need of money and become an unlikely duo who begin to traffic illegal immigrants from Canada into America across the the frozen St. Lawrence River

5 Frozen River: Not your typical Indian movieThis film does not focus on the stereotypical view of Indian culture.A very modern take on Indian culture: Indians portrayed in the movie work in a variety of fields and establishments ranging from gambling (Bingo) establishments, convenience stores and gas stations.The reservation is seen not portrayed as a majestic place for the noble Savage but is exploited as a means to bypass laws and gain money by illicit drug traffickingTurning away from Indian stereotypes clip:(3:01Min to 5Min)Though the film strays away from Indian stereotypes, there are still relations with the elders of the Indian community and there is an obvious tightly knit community that punishes itself and attempts to right offences.Self governing society clips from the “Frozen River”, at running times:1:20:35-1:21:151:22:33-1:23:26

6 Importance and Comparison of FilmsDances with Wolves:Shows the indigenous Indian culture in a positive light in a way that connects with large audiences.The film showcases many of the original customs of these cultures such as: Ceremonial Pipes, tribal ceremonies, trading rituals, etc. So that people who know little of the culture could know more about it.Award winning film that in many ways set the standard for future 1800’s American Indian filmsFrozen River:Broke the norms for American Indian Actors, and American Indian narratives in movies.Shows how Indian culture functions today in current society.Explores the possibility of the dark side of Indian culture without referencing Indians as savages.Showed the American Indian working with Americans to aid people of other nations and nationalities.

About project

Feedback

To ensure the functioning of the site, we use cookies. We share information about your activities on the site with our partners and Google partners: social networks and companies engaged in advertising and web analytics. For more information, see the Privacy Policy and Google Privacy &amp Terms.
Your consent to our cookies if you continue to use this website.